A new road layout is to be trialled on the Melling Link Bridge, aimed at reducing delays and traffic congestion.

The trial will begin on Sunday, 19 July and will allow drivers to use both lanes to travel north on State Highway 2 when leaving the Lower Hutt city centre.

Currently there are two lanes on the bridge heading out of the city onto the state highway – the right lane sends drivers north towards Upper Hutt, while the left lane sends drivers south to Wellington.

The new layout will enable drivers to use both lanes to north onto State Highway 2. 

The left lane will be able to be used to: Turn south to Wellington. Go straight ahead to access Harbour View Road. Turn right onto the state highway towards Upper Hutt.  

Traffic modelling shows this layout will help reduce delays and queuing for people leaving Lower Hutt at peak times. This is particularly important with work ramping up for the Melling Transport Improvements project and the wider Te Wai Takamori o Te Awa Kairangi programme. 

This trial has been agreed to by NZTA/Waka Kotahi and Hutt City Council. 

Drivers can expect some disruption in the first few days of the trial as people adjust to the temporary layout, but this is expected to ease as road users become used to the new layout.

Adjustments will also be made to the timing of the traffic lights at the Melling and Tirohanga intersections, so they work with the new layout and accommodate construction vehicles leaving the Melling Improvements worksite via Block Road. 

The trial will run for eight weeks, after which it will be reviewed to see if it is working as planned and can be retained. 

Temporary lane markings and signs will be in place to guide drivers through the new layout as part of the trial.